BRINE SALTWATER
NaiadsMerchant and Trader
"Fresh or salt, water's water and gold's gold. The trick is knowing which is which.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Estuary Markets, where river meets sea
- Civilization
- Naiads
Appearance
• Physical: Brine is unique among naiads, with skin that shifts between freshwater blue and saltwater green. He's stockier than most water spirits, with rough hands from handling goods. • Clothing: He wears practical merchant's clothing in loud, garish colors that help him stand out in crowded markets. • Distinguishing Marks: A distinctive limp from a shark attack in his youth, a gold tooth from a successful deal.
Relationships
- Family - Maintains contact with both parents but visits rarely
- Allies - A network of merchants on both sides, a few loyal employees
- Rivals - Pure-blood merchants who resent his success, customs officials
Personality
- Traits: Shrewd, opportunistic, surprisingly loyal to friends, insecure about his mixed heritage
- Mannerisms: Constantly calculates prices in his head, touches his gold tooth when making a deal
- Voice: Loud and boisterous, with an accent that shifts between river and sea dialects
Backstory
Brine was born of a naiad mother and nereid father, never fully accepted by either community. He found his place as a merchant, using his unique ability to travel both freshwater and saltwater to trade goods between the two worlds.
Daily Life
Brine buys freshwater goods from naiads and trades them for saltwater treasures from nereids, taking a percentage as profit. He's always looking for new trade opportunities and connections.
Secret
He's been smuggling magical artifacts banned in both freshwater and saltwater territories.
Story Hooks
- 1 He needs help recovering a shipment lost in disputed waters
- 2 His smuggling has been discovered, and he needs protection or an escape route
Narrative Value
Merchant NPC, fence for goods, information broker, morally gray ally ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════